Report: Alabama to hire assistant Flood

Dan Quinn will need someone else to assist him with clock management and replay challenges, according to a report from ESPN.

Kyle Flood, who the Falcons recently named to the new position, will reportedly leave to coach the offensive line at Alabama. Flood served as Atlanta’s assistant offensive line coach this past season.

The Crimson Tide have suffered through some turmoil on their staff since losing in the College Football Playoff title game to Clemson. Nick Saban rehired former Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who was dismissed by Atlanta on Dec. 31. — D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER

■ Former Falcons quarterback Turk Schonert, who came off the bench and led the Cincinnati Bengals to an opening victory during their first Super Bowl season, died suddenly Thursday near his home in South Carolina. The Bengals were informed of Schonert’s death two days after his 62nd birthday.

Schonert relieved a struggling Ken Anderson and rallied Cincinnati to a 27-21 victory over Seattle in the 1981 opener. Anderson started the next game, and the Bengals went on to a 12-4 mark and reached the Super Bowl, losing to San Francisco.

Schonert played eight seasons in Cincinnati and one in Atlanta, starting 12 games overall with 11 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He also coached with the Buccaneers, Panthers, Giants and Bills.

New Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian will be joined by a former Falcons assistant.